Choosing your sailboat, whether new or used, means making a compromise between your budget and your sailing program. And the question that will almost systematically arise is that of the ideal size of your future boat. Reducing this question to a choice between an older, larger boat or a smaller, more recent one would be too simplistic. The question of the size of your future boat is much more important than that. Whether you plan to cross the Atlantic or coastal cruise on a transportable sailboat, what is the ideal size for a sailboat?
Deciding to buy a sailboat is usually a matter of passion rather than reason. We all have in mind the sailboat of our dreams, inspired by our readings, visits to marinas, or sailing aspirations. However, certain criteria will be important in your choice. I’m thinking about the type of sailboat (racing, cruising, fishing-cruising, etc.), the equipment, or even the type of keel. But the most important question is undoubtedly that of the size of your sailboat and whether we want to buy a larger boat.
So what is the ideal size for a sailboat? As you can imagine, this question raises others, and the answers will be subjective. Buying a sailboat will depend on:
- your sailing program
- your budget
- the number of crew members on board
- your technical knowledge
- how often you sail
Buying a sailboat is a project that often matures over several months, even years. Whether it’s for a first purchase, upon retirement, or to replace your sailboat by moving up a meter, size is one of the elements to consider. This will be even more true for an offshore sailing program or, conversely, if you are looking for a transportable sailboat that can be stored in your garage. The size criterion is therefore important, just like the type of sailboat, the type of ballast, or its equipment.
The choice of your future boat will depend on your sailing program. Your sailboat will not be the same if you sail alone, with family, or with a larger crew.
Obviously, there is no ideal size. A small 6.5-meter sailboat is capable of crossing the Atlantic, and many 12-meter sailboats will never venture beyond the 6-mile zone from a harbor. In all boat sizes, there are sailboats capable of offshore sailing. However, some sailboats will better meet your program depending on their size. Let’s remember one thing: the captain must master their sailboat and be able to handle it alone.
Above all, the price of the boat should not dictate your choice. Don’t fall into the trap of buying a boat that is too big just because it was cheap. This rule is very important.
A Small Transportable Sailboat for Coastal Cruising
It is undoubtedly for a coastal cruising program that the size criterion is most important. Between 5 and 8 meters, a sailboat can help you discover all the small coves of our magnificent coastline. While a transportable sailboat of 6 meters will allow you to sail along the European coasts and lakes for a short period (try doing that on a 10-meter sailboat…), a sailboat approaching 8 meters will allow you to live on board comfortably for a few days with your family and undertake some longer cruises.
Our selection of new 7.5-meter sailboats.
Coastal Sailing on a Sailboat Under 10 Meters
For the vast majority of sailboat owners, the sailing program consists of cruising along our coasts for 6 months, or only during the summer season. These coastal cruises are often done as a couple, with two people, or with children or grandchildren. In this case, the sailboat must be comfortable enough to cruise for up to 15 days with two to four crew members. At the same time, the maintenance budget should not explode as soon as you need to replace the rigging or simple pulleys and halyards. A sailboat under 10 meters seems to be an excellent compromise between comfort at sea and in port, and annual budget (mooring fees, winter storage, and maintenance).
Year-Round Sailing, from 11 Meters
The luckiest among us, as well as the most passionate or dedicated, can sail year-round. Some live on the coast or not far away, like the Bretons, for example. Others will sail every other weekend to make the most of their boat or train during winter sessions for a racing program. When the initial and annual budget allows, you can consider looking for a 10 or 11-meter boat. This will provide maximum cabin comfort for cold winter days, can be equipped with a wind turbine to keep the batteries charged, and a dodger to protect from the fresh wind. Also consider the possibility of having two aft cabins to accommodate crew members for racing. Moreover, in this size range, you can find very fast cruising sailboats that can meet both cruising and racing programs. In terms of maintenance, the budget starts to increase significantly, but year-round sailing helps to amortize this cost.
Offshore Sailing and Life On Board
For offshore sailing, the answer to the question of sailboat size is much more delicate. Indeed, you can find sailboats of all sizes in every corner of the globe. The size depends on the budget, desired comfort, and program (you will live outdoors in the Caribbean, less so in the North Sea). However, we can consider that a sailboat over 12 meters will handle bad weather more easily and without wearing out the crew. Then, the larger the boat, the higher the repair and maintenance costs will be.
Here’s a small idea of the ideal size of a sailboat according to its program. Obviously, this is very subjective. And for you, what is the ideal size?
Why Are Sailboats Measured in Feet?
The measurement of sailboats in feet is a tradition that dates back to maritime history and the use of the imperial measurement system. The imperial system, which includes units like feet and inches, was widely used in maritime countries, particularly in English and American cultures. Boat builders, navigators, and sailors were accustomed to working with these units of measurement, and this practice has continued over time.
Nowadays, although the metric system is widely used in many fields, the tradition of measuring sailboats in feet persists in the maritime domain. Sailing race rules, boat construction specifications, and other maritime industry standards often continue to use the imperial system, which helps maintain this tradition.
Feet to Meters Conversion Table
| Meters | Feet |
|---|---|
| 5.00 | 16.40 |
| 6.00 | 19.69 |
| 7.00 | 22.97 |
| 8.00 | 26.25 |
| 9.00 | 29.53 |
| 10.00 | 32.81 |
| 11.00 | 36.09 |
| 12.00 | 39.37 |
| 13.00 | 42.65 |
| 14.00 | 45.93 |
| 15.00 | 49.21 |
| 16.00 | 52.49 |
| 17.00 | 55.77 |
| 18.00 | 59.06 |
| 19.00 | 62.34 |
| 20.00 | 65.62 |
Renting Your Sailboat for Vacation and Making the Right Choice
Even if you love sailing above all, especially towards the Île de Beauté, buying a new or used sailboat will require additional annual expenses, particularly for maintenance, insurance, mooring fees, and winter storage. If you cannot afford all of this or do not have the leisure to go to sea whenever you want, you should consider renting a sailboat to sail to Ajaccio. The advantage of Corsica is that with its pleasant climate, you can go boating from April to October without worry. By choosing the boat model, you can plan your vacation whether it’s for a cruise or a simple outing to enjoy water sports or diving. You can head to the Lavezzi Islands to discover the underwater fauna and flora. Note that the areas for diving are delimited.
All you have to do is decide on:
- A sailboat
- A sailing catamaran
- A motor catamaran
With the experience of Midi Nautisme, you will only need to fill out the contact form for their team to call you back. Also know that if you need a crew to fully enjoy your vacation, it is entirely possible.